From the mouths of babes…

while holding a family birthday celebration for Josiah last night, after all the traditional singing and candles and cake and gifts, Josiah made a statement that made us all uncomfortable.

Josiah was holding the $100 from his great-grandparents, and I told him that we needed to be careful, and put the money in the bank. Josiah said, “No. For Saka”. Saka is the WorldVision child our church sponsors in Tanzania, and the small children bring a weekly offering to help his family. The total amount runs about $10 per week.

Of course, I am not campaigning for Josiah to receive the Mother Teresa award. His statement was out of ignorance; the majority of the time that he is given money to handle, it is in order to place it in the collection. But perhaps in his ignorance, he is a better steward than we are.

Now, what are we to do?

Racism in my front seat...

Charity, Josiah, and I are in Atlanta for a church planting conference (more on this later), and i had a case of the late night munchies, not aided by the open drive through windows I was forced to pass to run an errand for Charity, who was back in the hotel room. And I found a Taco Bell (which the faithful readers will know is no longer being boycotted), just what I wanted...

So why am I telling you this? Well, the story becomes interesting when, as I was picking up my spicy chicken burrito from the window, three black youths approached the passenger side of the car (I had seen a larger group in the parking lot). The employee peered out his window nervously, and I began to run through scenarios. Then, in an instant, the situation became clear:

"Go away. You can't order food if you aren't in a car".

Here are people wanting to buy food, but without a qualifying device to propel them through the drive through area (the lobby was closed). So I did whatever anyone who could empathize with their cravings would do: "do you want me to order the food for you?"

After hearing the longest, most complicated order in my life, I aaked one of the guys to jump in the car with me. We circled around to the microphone: "welcome to Taco Bell" "I need to place two separate orders" "YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR MONEY READY WHEN YOU GET TO THE WINDOW!!!"

Anyways, it became clear that this was about more than store policy, more than concern for the safety of people standing near traffic. This was about the worth of people. These black youth were second class citizens. They would be treated like criminals.

I had the opportunity to tell James what we were in town for, and had a short conversation about church, and about Jesus' concern for justice. I didn't have great words to say. But then James provided me with something to laugh about:

"can I give you some gas money?"

anyways, this is a good kid, well-meaning, who will not remain that way if everything continues to work against him.

Treat me like a criminal, and what will I become?

The Dangers of Missionary Work, Coming to Nebraska.

Check out these two news stories... first, a news story on the increasing rate of Lion attacks on people in our fair Tanzania. The gist of the story: not enough Zebra or Antelope around anymore, so the lions are hungry. The billboard pictured above warns those entering one village of a lion whose appetite has yet to be sated by 40 victims.

Second story... a plan being floated by some conservationists to relocate some of the animals from Africa that are suffering habitat loss (like lions)to the great plains of the US. This is the equivalent of a ecological insurance policy; if things go badly in Africa, we will still have wild African species roaming around here,

Here's my response: If you want to see these animals, don't relocate them to Nebraska. Come visit us in Tanzania. We will rent a lion-proof Land Rover, we will visit the Serengeti, where our park fees will contribute to furthering the protection of these animals... in Africa.

Our spaceship has landed...

After 29 days of suitcases, hotel rooms, 200+ gallons of gas, sonic food (with a short In-N-Out respite), we have finally returned home to Tennessee. Let the unpacking begin!!!

Many are curious about how the trip went... We were extremely blessed throughout. We learned of new supporters in California, had lunch with representatives from a prospective sponsoring church while in Texas, had a chance to reconnect with Kevin's family, and spent valuable time learning at the feet of experienced missionaries to East Africa...

And speaking of, last Saturday night we had dinner with two couples from the Cloverdale church in Searcy, AR... 30 years of mission work in East Africa between them, and one of the couples were the first missionaries in our fellowship to work in East Africa. This was 1/2 of the missions committee that we were able to dream with on the following day. And the committee has decided that, thus far, we meet their criteria for missionary support and sponsorship. This, plus the support from our home church, Collins, and some individual supporters would enable us to, Lord-willing, hop on the plane to Tanzania.

But we are not there yet. Continue to pray for us as we complete the necessary paperwork requested by the missions committee, which they and the eldership will review before a second interview can occur.

Yet we are convinced that it is not presentations, information packets, long travels, or connections that will make us useful for the Kingdom; it is only by His Spirit, only through our submission to His will that He will be glorified. So please pray for us.

And I am back to my bed; the bags will wait for tomorrow (just hope my toothbrush is easy to find!!!).

Sherwood Long: The passing of a Saint

We were saddened by news from back home; our friend Sherwood has passed away. Just wanted to memorialize him with a picture and a copy of the letter we wrote to his daughters, to be read at his memorial service.

Karen and Sharon,

we are greatly saddened by the passing of your father and our dear friend Sherwood. Charity had the opportunity to know Sherwood her entire life, and Kevin just a few years, but his impact on us will never be forgotten. He was a servant-hearted man, gentle and strong, a role-model for all who knew him. His legacy will continue on in our memories and our stories. The many projects that he handcrafted are a monument to his creativity, patience, and perseverance (we own—we treasure—a handmade quilt and wood end-table that Sherwood gave to Charity years ago). And these great qualities are continuing on in the life to come, where there is no pain, no suffering, no dialysis, no amputations, and no diet restrictions.

His many years of song-leading, teaching, encouragement, and service at the Collins church have spurred many people, ourselves included, on to works of service, and we believe that the Collins church would not still be in existence without Sherwood’s steadfast service over the years. Perhaps the greatest testimony to Sherwood’s love and influence is the way that you honored him in his last years and months, through countless trials and ordeals, through great personal sacrifice of time, money, and energy. We admire you for this.

We wish we could have been present to say goodbye to Sherwood, and to share the memorial with you and the family at Collins. Our prayers are with you at this time, and will continue to be with you for the days and months to come, and we hope that you will let us know of any way we can serve you; it is the least we can do in memory of the one who taught us to pray, serve, and encourage in the first place.

With sincerest condolences,

Kevin, Charity, and Josiah Linderman